2002 Pontiac Aztek Review
2002 Pontiac Aztek Review
View more photos
View more photos
View more photos
View more photos
View more photos
+55
Used Aztek for sale
Appraise This CarSee Edmunds pricing data
Has Your Car's Value Changed?
Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.
Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Versatile interior, available all-wheel drive, head-up display.
Cons
- Awkward styling, dated powerplant.
What’s new
After a chilling reception from consumers in its first year, Pontiac is attempting to salvage the Aztek with a slight makeover that includes a monotone exterior and a new rear spoiler. Inside, numerous amenities that were optional on last year's model are now standard equipment.
Edmunds says
Although functional as a minivan/sport-utility crossover, the Aztek's eccentric styling and weak engine still relegate it to second-class status as a family vehicle.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2002 Pontiac Aztek Fwd 4dr SUV (3.4L 6cyl 4A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.46 per gallon for regular unleaded in Virginia.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia
$215/mo for Aztek Base
Aztek Base
vs
$197/mo
Avg. Midsize SUV
Vehicle overview
Pontiac claims the Aztek was the product of out-of-the-box brainstorming in an effort to create a truly unique vehicle. The result of this creative thinking is a whole new SRV, or sport recreational vehicle, which takes the wide stance and sporty ride of the Grand Prix, the versatility of the Montana minivan and traditional character traits of sport-utility vehicles, and blends them into a unique and polarizing alternative to SUVs and minivans.
The Aztek cuts a broad swath through the look-alike humdrum SUVs on the road with a boldly aggressive exterior that could have only come from Pontiac. After the vehicle's less-than-welcoming reception from buyers last year, Pontiac went back to the drawing board and cleaned up some of the Aztek's more offensive lines. The exterior is now all one color and standard 16-inch wheels help to give the vehicle a more balanced look.
The model lineup now consists of either the standard front-wheel-drive model or the upgraded all-wheel-drive version. Both are powered by GM's tried-and-true 3.4-liter V6 producing 185 horsepower and are backed by an electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission. The Aztek is rated to pull 3,500 pounds with the optional trailer-towing option that includes heavy-duty engine cooling, a high-output alternator and an auto-leveling rear suspension.
All-wheel-drive Azteks use GM's Versatrak system, which automatically directs power to the wheels with the best grip. Unfortunately, with no low range or center differential lockup feature, the Aztek has limited off-road capability.
Two seating configurations are offered -- front bucket seats with a choice of three-passenger flip/fold 50/50-split seats or dual captain's chairs in the second row. The rear 50/50-split bench is of a lightweight modular design that can be folded, flipped forward or removed to create extra room on demand. The often-touted cooler/center console is now standard equipment along with an AM/FM CD stereo. Order leather seating and you'll get heated buckets up front, while upgrading to the six-disc CD changer or dual-play radio will net you a leather-wrapped steering wheel with satellite audio controls.
The Aztek has a wide, low and flat cargo floor with 93.5 cubic feet of storage when the rear seats are removed. Drop the tailgate and the Aztek accommodates four full sheets of 3/4-inch plywood. A dozen cargo anchors, rear convenience net and storage areas built into the side trim and tailgate help keep track of loose ends.
While many SUVs look like they're cast from the same cookie cutter, Pontiac cooked up the boldest -- and the most controversial -- design to hit the streets so far. With its latest makeover, it's softened it up a bit, but it still turns heads. Sure, the styling is different and you can't do any serious off-roading, but if you need the versatility of a minivan, and don't want to be labeled as another soccer mom driving a Caravan, the Aztek may be right up your alley.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2002 Pontiac Aztek.
5 star(75%)
4 star(16%)
3 star(5%)
2 star(4%)
1 star(0%)
85 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
4.13 out of 5 stars
Great Car - Fun to Drive
talia5307, 05/10/2009
2002 Pontiac Aztek Fwd 4dr SUV (3.4L 6cyl 4A)
I bought my Aztek almost 7 years ago and have never regretted it. It now has 98000 miles on it and has only ever needed minor repairs (brakes, etc). I love that nothing else on the road looks like it, this is not your cookie cutter car for your cookie cutter neighborhood. The ride is smooth, quiet and comfortable and the car handles well in my northern Illinois winters even with just … FWD. My only complaints are that the back seats don't fold flat, but not many 2002 vehicles do. Also, the bottom of the back window is totally flat, which leaves it almost always dirty.
5 out of 5 stars
Love-d It!
Cathy, 09/26/2008
2002 Pontiac Aztek Fwd 4dr SUV (3.4L 6cyl 4A)
Bought it new and liked its uniqueness. Yellow is easy to spot in the Wal-Mart parking lot! Very comfy for tall people and all seats recline for long trips. Interior is durable,everything in the right place. Most room for a mid-size SUV--I put several large trees and numerous plants in this thing! If they made them again, I'd buy one. Mine was 2WD and handled very well in snow/ice. … The only reason I don't have one now is because a tornado destroyed it! had over 144K and ran great.
3.38 out of 5 stars
We call it the "crapteck"
aztec hater, 12/12/2008
2002 Pontiac Aztek AWD 4dr SUV (3.4L 6cyl 4A)
Loved the car at first! Very comfortable and roomy--fits 4 and a dog very comfortably. Was very excited to get our first SUV and loved it for about a year. The air conditioner died at about 17k, the head gasket at 30K, the hatch never opens, anti theft system locked up for no reason & cost about $500 to replace. Head gasket again at 120K. I have a $50,000 car after all of the repairs … that have been made on it--wise to quit producing this vehicle.
5 out of 5 stars
This Aztek won't scalp you!
M.D.Levine, 05/20/2016
2002 Pontiac Aztek Fwd 4dr SUV (3.4L 6cyl 4A)
No longer made..........Parts availability is diminishing for glass and body items, purchased new..
problems with rear lift gate from the get go.....never repaired properly at dealer. Now won.t open at all! Always been solid mechanically....paint durability is superior...paid for optional paint sealant, well worth extra fee. Still bright and shiny after 14+ years in Florida Sun. … Typical GM interior issues, window switches, 4-Way seat switches,radio and steering wheel switches ;Top of Dash and steering wheel show sun exposure damage. This was an experiment by GM having produced car in Mexico. all my friends thought this car wouldn't last a couple of years, with due respect to the Mexican assembly plant this car was built well! When purchased I actually wasn't aware it was made in Mexico.
2002 Aztek Highlights
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $20,295 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 20 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $215/month |
Seating | 5 seats |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Warranty | 3 years / 36,000 miles |
Safety
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver3 / 5Passenger4 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriverNot RatedPassengerNot Rated
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRollover4 / 5Dynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalMarginal
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintNot Tested
Consider these recommendations
Related Used 2002 Pontiac Aztek info
Vehicle reviews of used models
- Used Ford C-Max Energi 2015
- Used Land Rover Range Rover Sport 2010
- Used Ford C-Max Hybrid 2016
- Used Bentley Continental GT 2017
- Used Nissan Cube 2011 For Sale
Popular new car reviews and ratings
- 2023 Volkswagen Atlas
- Chevrolet Camaro 2024
- 2023 RAV4 Prime
- 2024 Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class
- Kia Niro Plug In Hybrid
- BMW X5 2024
- Toyota Corolla Hatchback 2023
- Volvo XC60 2024
- 2024 Ford F-250 Super Duty
- 2023 Durango
Other models
- Used Infiniti Q40 in Nashville, TN
- Used BMW M8 in Chico, CA
- Used Jaguar Xe in Oceanside, CA
- Used Acura TSX in Atlanta, GA
- Used Chrysler Concorde in Fayetteville, AR
- Used Cadillac Cts-V-Coupe in Dalton, GA
- Used Lincoln Mkz-Hybrid in Roswell, NM
- Used Infiniti G-Sedan in Crown Point, IN
- Used Mazda 2 in Avon, IN
- Used Infiniti G20 in Lexington, NC